Bootblacks - Paradise

Paradise marks a striking evolution for Brooklyn trio Bootblacks—vocalist Panther Almqvist, synth‑programmer Barrett Hiatt, and new guitarist Kalle Fagerberg. The album departs from their earlier angular, guitar-heavy post-punk roots, embracing a glossy, synth-driven 1980s wave-pop aesthetic infused with melancholic lyricism and shimmering guitar riffs. Produced by Xavier Paradis, it blends lush electronic arrangements and pulsing rhythms with unexpected analog touches, including sultry saxophone solos from Benjamin Harrison and Oskar Carls, and beats on highlight track "Only You" by Chris Vrenna. Other highlights include “Can You Feel It? (Anymore),” and the title track which vividly showcase the band’s newfound polish and pop sensibility, while still carrying that undercurrent of yearning and grit — a refreshing synthesis of euphoric sheen and emotional weight.